Harvest time is upon us

If you have noticed an uptick in the number of combines and tractors on the road lately, it is harvest time in southwest Iowa.

The beans look to be about ready to go in a lot of fields. My understanding is the corn is still at a pretty high moisture content at this point and may need a little more time before the corn hits the bins.

It will be interesting to see how the crops turn out after the dry summer. I would guess the yields will be down some. But, with the lack of rain this summer, it could have been worse. The drought-resistant seeds help so that yields are at least about average compared to several years ago.

A good reminder is to watch out for all the combines and trucks on the road over the next month. We don’t need a fatality during the harvest season.

Fall

This week is the first week of fall. It is my favorite time of the year. Less humidity and cooler temps make it easier on most of us humans!

The hot, dry weather has seemed to make the trees a little slower on changing color this year. Usually, by now, we are starting to get some good colors in the foliage, but that looks to be lagging behind this year. It should make for a colorful October.

Tax time

Monday, the first half of your property taxes are due. The local counties, schools and cities can always use your money!

Gas

It’s nice to see the price of gas going down. I can never figure out why it is always higher here than most of the rest of the state.

The price at the Nebraska City exit on the Iowa side has been $3.25 for about the past two weeks. As of today, it is still $3.39 a gallon here. It is also cheaper if you go 30 miles in any direction from Creston. Stuart, Osceola and Red Oak all have cheaper prices. What gives?

Pork Friday

Tomorrow the Creston News Advertiser will be hosting its annual Customer Appreciation Day. We will have a pulled pork luncheon starting at 11 a.m. and going until the food is gone. We appreciate all of our readers and business associates, and this is one way we can say “Thank You” for all your support throughout the year. It looks like the weather is going to cooperate.

Employment

It is kind of interesting to see the employment figures creeping up some in southwest Iowa. The August figures just released show the unemployment rate for Union County going up 1 percent for the month. The number of people employed is the same. It looks like a number of people are trying to rejoin the workforce again. Judging by the number of job openings in the paper, I would say there are still plenty of jobs out there for folks. I’m guessing it is the usual story. The skill sets are not matching up with the job qualifications.

Saturday

All of you Creston supporters will have a chance to put $20 in the booster club treasury by getting up and driving a Ford. The Creston Booster Club can garner $6,000 if you go out and test drive a Ford at the football stadium from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.It is always fun to test drive a new car. Plus, you can help out a good cause along the way.

High Lakes

A reminder, the High Lakes group annual banquet will be Oct. 10 at Three Mile Lodge. See Tom Lesan for a ticket to the fun event.

Thought for the week: “We must open the doors of opportunity. But we must also equip our people to walk through those doors.” — Lyndon Baines Johnson